Galva welcomes new principal

Wednesday

Jun 26, 2013 at 9:00 AM

A former Kewanee resident, Jerry Becker feels like he’s “returning home” as new principal of Galva Junior-Senior High School.

Doug Boock

A former Kewanee resident, Jerry Becker feels like he’s “returning home” as new principal of Galva Junior-Senior High School.“I was attracted to the principal’s position at Galva because of my love of education and my desire to serve,” said Becker, who was hired at the June 17 Galva School Board meeting. “I am currently in a large, suburban district (Pekin) and I always considered myself more of a small-town person, so Galva was just a perfect fit for me.”A 1982 Kewanee High School graduate, Becker said he has many ties to Galva. “This is what makes this opportunity so exciting to me. Not only is Galva a smaller district, but it feels familiar to me and I always wanted to return home and be part of a small community after my military service. Being near Kewanee is certainly a bonus!” A 24-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Becker will replace Chad Cox, who’s leaving after being here two years to be principal of an elementary school in the new Abingdon-Avon school district. Becker said he’s somewhat familiar with Galva School District in general, and Galva Junior-Senior High School in particular. “Generally speaking, I know that the district is very strong academically and is designed to support the community,” said Becker, who’s been married to his wife Marcy for 31 years and has two grown children and one grandchild.“I was able to meet a lot of staff members (during the interview process) who care deeply about the quality of education here in Galva and they have high expectations of the leadership in the district,” he said. Currently a dean of students at Pekin Community High School, after seven years as program director for a Junior ROTC program at that school, Becker said tasks here will be like many other places.“I believe the challenges that lie ahead are the same challenges that everyone in education face today: How do we continue to increase student achievement while working in an environment of fiscal strife?” he said. “The expectations to ensure that all of our students succeed will never change, but the environment in which our educators operate is becoming more and more demanding.”His job here will be his first as a principal. He believes he has school administrative experience that will help him, though. “My role as a dean at Pekin Community High School was what I would call ‘quasi-administrative,’” he explained. “I was responsible for approximately 700 students in all areas of discipline, attendance, safety/security, as well as some school operations.“ I probably have more administrative experience through my position as the program director of the Junior ROTC program, where I was responsible for over 400 cadets in the areas of curriculum, budget, transportation and extra-curricular activities. “I feel it is an honor and a privilege to be selected. I look forward to being part of a team that is successful and cares about their community.”